Water table with improved installation geometry

ABSTRACT

A water table as a water diverting transition element sloping downward at an approximately 14° angle between a first upper course of material and second lower course of material on a building surface that includes an upper fastening flange and lower fastening flange that enables installation of the water table either before or after installation of the lower course of material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/004,102, filed Apr. 2, 2020, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water tables in exterior buildingapplications. A water table, sometimes referred to as a drip cap orstone cap, is a projecting architectural feature that deflects waterrunning down the face of a building away from a lower course ofmaterials. Typically, a water table is located as a transition elementbetween materials, such as from wood, metal or polymer siding to stoneor stone siding panels, including faux stone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a water table with improvedinstallation geometry is transition between polymer siding, such aspolyvinyl chloride (PVC) siding, including cellular PVC siding, and alower course of panelized or faux stone such as Atlas Stone™ siding(Royal Building Products, Marion, Va.), Versetta Stone® siding (BoralBuilding Products Inc., Wixom, Mich.), and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, a water table includes an upperfastening flange for attachment to an underlying building surface, suchas wall, column, post and the like, with a fastener, such as a nail orscrew, and a lower auxiliary fastening flange for similar attachment toan underlying building surface with a fastener. In one embodiment, thelower auxiliary fastening flange is utilized in installations of thewater table before installation of the lower course of materials, suchas faux stone (referred to as pre-stone installation). In one embodimentof the invention, the upper fastening flange is utilized in bothpre-stone installation and in installations of the water table after thelower course of materials, such as faux stone (referred to as post-stoneinstallation).

A water table in one embodiment of the invention includes a slopedprojection that downwardly slopes to divert water from siding, such asPVC siding of an upper course of materials, away from dripping on thelower course of materials, such as faux stone siding. In embodiments ofthe invention, the projection slopes at slopes between a 10° and 20°angle, preferably between a 12° and 18° angle, and most preferably at anapproximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to thevertical plane of a flat rear planar surface of the water table thatabuts the underlying building surface.

In one embodiment, a water table includes a drip edge, or drip notch,that is a groove running lengthwise between sides and underneath andalong the forward end of the projection. The drip edge is preferablylocated forward of the underlying lower course of materials, such asfaux stone siding. The drip edge in embodiments preferably operates toensure that diverted water avoids contacting the underlying course ofmaterials, such as faux stone. Diverted water that might adhere to thewater table and continue over the forward end of the projection willreach the drip edge and drip downward from such point forward of thelower course of stone/faux stone siding.

In embodiments of the invention, such as when the upper course of sidingcomprises cellular PVC siding, a water table comprises polymer material(such as cellular PVC by Celuka processing) and the lower course ofsiding comprises faux stone, such Atlas Stone™ siding or Versetta Stone®siding, the water table profile has a height of or of about between 1and 10 inches, preferably between 1 to 5 inches, and most preferably atabout 2¾ inches and having a width, as measured projecting horizontallyoutward from a flat rear planar surface of the water table to aforwardmost front edge of the water table, of or of about between 1 and10 inches, preferably between 1 to 5 inches, and most preferably atabout 2½ inches. A cellular PVC water table according to an embodimentof the invention provides a stronger and more durable structure at morecompetitive manufacturing costs than typical water tables in the currentmarket. In various embodiments, a water table of the invention mayinclude such other dimensions adapted to the upper course of materialsand lower course of materials to provide similar advantages ofinstallation and diverting water forward of the lower course asdescribed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a water table in one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear side elevation view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view from above of a water table of FIG.1.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view from below of a water table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of a flat bottom water table inone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view of a flat bottom water table ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front side elevation view of a flat bottom water table ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a rear side elevation view of a flat bottom water table ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a flat bottom water table of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view from above of a flat bottom watertable of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view from below of a flat bottom watertable of FIG. 19.

FIG. 17 is a correspondence diagram of a pre-stone installation of awater table shown in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the finished appearance of a pre-stoneinstallation according to FIG. 17 in one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a correspondence diagram of a post-stone installation of awater table shown in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the finished appearance of a post-stoneinstallation according to FIG. 19 in one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a water table 100 including improvedinstallation geometry to act as a transition between a first uppercourse of material and a second lower course of material. With referenceto FIGS. 17-20, in one embodiment, the first upper course 200 includespolymer siding, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) siding, includingcellular PVC siding, and the second lower course 600 of panelized stoneor faux stone such as Atlas Stone™ siding (Royal Building Products,Marion, Va.), Versetta Stone® siding (Boral Building Products Inc.,Wixom, Mich.), and the like.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-8, and continuing reference to FIGS.17-20, a water table 100 includes an upper fastening flange 110 forattachment to an underlying building surface 500 with a fastener 115,such as a nail or screw, and a lower auxiliary fastening flange 120 forsimilar attachment to an underlying building surface 500 with a fastener125.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, In one embodiment the lower auxiliaryfastening flange 120 is utilized in installations of the water table 100before installation of the lower course of materials 600 (FIGS. 19 and20) on surface area 550, such as faux stone (referred to as pre-stoneinstallation as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18).

With further reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in some embodiments the upperfastening flange 110 is utilized in both pre-stone installation (FIGS.17 and 18) and in installations of the water table after the lowercourse of materials 600, such as faux stone (referred to as post-stoneinstallation shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). It will be appreciated that incertain embodiments of the invention the lower auxiliary fasteningflange 120 is not utilized for fastening to the underlying surface in apost-stone installation since the lower faux stone course of materials600 present an obstacle to such lower flange 120 fastening to surfacearea 550 when a stone course 600 is already installed. It will befurther appreciated that conventional water tables 100 are fastened onlyat a single upper fastening location, whereas in a pre-stoneinstallation according to the invention there is a new advantage of awater table 100 being able to be fastened at two locations of the upperfastening flange 110 and the lower auxiliary fastening flange 120.

As shown in FIGS. 17-20, it will also be appreciated that the watertable 100 (corresponding arrow “D) is installed by fastening the upperfastening flange 110 to the underlying building surface 500(corresponding arrow “E” in FIG. 17) with a sloped projection 170 (FIGS.1-16) adjacent the lowest row or edge of the first upper course ofmaterial 200 (such as cellular PVC siding) so as to extend outward witha forwardmost edge 130 (FIGS. 1-16) of the projection beyond the secondlower course of material 600 (corresponding arrow “E” in FIG. 19) (e.g.faux stone shown in FIG. 20). It will also be appreciated that theprojection 170 and water table 100 preferably include a vertical flatrear planar surface 140 that abuts and is attached to the underlyingbuilding surface 500. In embodiments of the invention, the forwardmostedge 130 extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat rear planarsurface 140 a distance of approximately 2½ inches. The sloped projection170 downwardly slopes to divert water from the siding, such as cellularPVC siding of the upper course of materials 200, away from dripping onthe lower course of materials 600, such as the faux stone siding. In oneembodiment, the projection 170 slopes at or at about 14° below ahorizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical flat rear planar surface140 of the water table 100. In other embodiments projection 170 slopesbetween a 10° and 20° angle and preferably between a 12° and 18° angle.

As further shown in installation embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17 and19, the underlying building structure surface 500, is layered withflashing 400 (corresponding arrow “C”) underlying building wrap 300(corresponding arrow “B”). The first course of materials 200, such assiding (corresponding arrow “A”) overlays the building wrap 300.

With reference to FIGS. 1-16, a water table 100 includes a drip edge, ordrip notch 180, that is a groove running lengthwise between sides (rightside 160 and left side 150 of the water table 100) and underneath andalong the forward end 130 of the projection. The drip edge is preferablylocated forward of the underlying lower course of materials 600, such asfaux stone siding. The drip edge in an embodiment of the inventionpreferably operates to ensure that diverted water avoids contacting theunderlying course of materials 600, such as faux stone. Diverted waterthat might adhere to the water table 100 and continue over the forwardend of the projection 130 will reach the drip edge and drip downwardfrom such point forward of the lower course of the stone/faux stonesiding of the lower course 600.

Referring to FIG. 9-16, in one alternative embodiment of the invention awater table 100 includes a flat surface bottom 191 and without a lowerauxiliary fastening flange 120 and sloped bottom 190 as compared to thewater table 100 of FIGS. 1-7. It will be appreciated that many of thesame advantages for installation and diverting of water beyond thesecond lower course of material 600 (e.g. faux stone) are also providedby the flat bottom water table of FIGS. 9-16.

In one embodiment, a water table 100 according to the inventioncomprises polymer material, such as PVC, and preferably cellular PVC byCeluka processing. A cellular PVC water table 100 according to anembodiment of the invention exhibits more durability in comparison toconventional stone caps (i.e. stone and faux stone water tables) thatare typically heavy and brittle and known by many installers in therelevant field of building exteriors to be susceptible to breakingduring installation. In one embodiment, a full cellular PVC Celuka watertable according to the invention weighs only 0.88 lb/ft as compared toone commercial manufactured stone-like water table product that weighs4.7 lb/ft (over 5 times heavier).

Further, a full cellular PVC Celuka water table 100 according to theinvention can be manufactured and sold at a retail cost over 9 timesless expensive per foot as compared to such commercial manufacturedstone-like water table product. Moreover, in comparison to conventionalmilled PVC water tables that typically have an open cell structure, afull cellular PVC Celuka water table 100 according to the invention hasa full skin covering the entirety of the water table structure and istherefore easier to clean and paint since there are no exposed opensurfaces to collect dirt, grime, mold, and the like. In one embodimentof the invention, a polymer water table 100, such as preferably a fullcellular PVC Celuka water table, is coated with polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) (such as Kynar® PVDF from Arkema, Inc. (King of Prussia; PA)) toprovide improved protection against weather, sun and other outdoordements, as well as numerous color selections, as compared toconventional water tables that are not known to include PVDF coating.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will,however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be madethereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, withoutdeparting from the broader scope of the invention as set forth by theclaims. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water table providing a transition on abuilding surface between a first upper course of material and a secondlower course of material comprising: an upper fastening flange; a lowerfastening flange; and a sloped projection between the upper fasteningflange and the lower fastening flange and sloping downward away from theupper fastening flange to a forwardmost edge of the projection at anapproximately 14° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to avertical flat rear planar surface of the water table.
 2. The water tableof claim 1 further comprising a bottom surface of the projection havinga groove running lengthwise between opposite left and right sides of theprojection.
 3. The water table of claim 2, wherein the groove runsparallel to a forward edge of the projection at the forwardmost end ofthe projection.
 4. The water table of claim 1, wherein the slopedprojection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planarsurface of the to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distanceof approximately 2½ inches.
 5. The water table of claim 1, wherein thewater table has a profile having a height between 1 and 10 inches and awidth between 1 and 10 inches.
 6. The water table of claim 1, whereinthe water table is fastened between a first upper course of materialcomprising polymer material and second lower course of materialcomprising at least one of stone and faux stone.
 7. The water table ofclaim 6, wherein the polymer material includes polyvinyl chloride. 8.The water table of claim 7, wherein the polymer material includescellular polyvinyl chloride.
 9. A water table providing a transition ona building surface between a first upper course of material and a secondlower course of material comprising a sloped projection sloping downwardaway from the upper fastening flange to a forwardmost end of theprojection at an approximately 14° angle below a horizontal planeperpendicular to a vertical flat rear planar surface of the water table,wherein the projection further comprises a bottom surface having agroove running lengthwise between opposite left and right sides of theprojection.
 10. The water table of claim 9, wherein the slopedprojection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planarsurface of the to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distanceof approximately 2½ inches.
 11. The water table of claim 10, wherein thewater table has a profile having a height of approximately 2¾ inches.12. The water table of claim 9, wherein the water table has a profilehaving a height between 1 and 10 inches and a width between 1 and 10inches.
 13. The water table of claim 9, wherein the water table isfastened between a first upper course of material comprising polymermaterial and second lower course of material comprising at least one ofstone and faux stone.
 14. The water table of claim 13, wherein thepolymer material includes polyvinyl chloride.
 15. The water table ofclaim 14, wherein the polymer material includes cellular polyvinylchloride.
 16. A water table comprising: a vertical flat rear planarsurface; an upper fastening flange; a lower fastening flange; and asloped projection between the upper fastening flange and the lowerfastening flange and sloping downward away from the upper fasteningflange to a forwardmost end of the projection, wherein the slopedprojection extends horizontally outward from the vertical flat planarsurface to the forwardmost edge of the projection to a distance ofapproximately 2½ inches.
 17. The water table of claim 16 furthercomprising a bottom surface of the projection having a groove runninglengthwise between opposite left and right sides of the projection. 18.The water table of claim 17, wherein the groove runs parallel to aforward edge of the projection at the forwardmost end of the projection.19. The water table of claim 16 wherein the sloped projection slopesbetween 10° and 20° angle below a horizontal plane perpendicular to thevertical flat rear planar surface.
 20. The water table of claim 19wherein the sloped projection slopes at an approximately 14° angle belowa horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical flat rear planarsurface of the water table
 21. A method for installing a water table,comprising: installing a first upper course of material on a buildingsurface prior to installing a second bottom course of material on thebuilding surface; and after installing a lowest edge of the first uppercourse of material and prior to installing a second bottom course ofmaterial, fastening both an upper fastening flange and lower fasteningflange of the water table to the building surface with a downwardsloping projection of the water table adjacent to the lowest edge of thefirst upper course of material, wherein a forwardmost edge of theprojection slopes downward at an approximately 14° angle below ahorizontal plane perpendicular to a vertical flat rear planar surface ofthe water table.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first uppercourse of material comprises polymer material.
 23. The method of claim22, wherein the polymer material includes polyvinyl chloride.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the polymer material includes cellularpolyvinyl chloride.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprisinginstalling a second lower course of material including at least one ofstone and faux stone.
 26. The water table of claim 25, wherein the watertable comprises full cellular PVC and has an exterior skin resultingfrom Celuka processing.
 27. The water table of claim 26, wherein thewater table includes exterior coating comprising polyvinylidenefluoride.